Minister of Sport Randolph Horton last night expressed deep sadness at the death of a young motor mechanic who died Sunday in a go-karting accident.

The Minister said the crash, which killed Jason Christopher Matthew at the Clearwater track in St. David's, would be "examined very carefully" by the Bermuda Karting Club to ensure all safety procedures were in place for the race day.

The Royal Gazette reported yesterday how it was only Mr. Matthew's second day of official racing since taking up go-karting earlier this year.

He is believed to have lost control of the vehicle on a hairpin bend in the track, causing him to smash into the barricade.

He was thrown from the vehicle and suffered serious chest injures. He was pronounced dead at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital at about 2.30 p.m. on Sunday.

The accident has led to criticism from members of the motor racing fraternity, who claimed Government had been informed that the course was unsafe some months ago.

President of the Bermuda Motorcycle Racing Club, David Jones, said his club was even banned from racing because it had refused to use the Clearwater track and instead had switched to Southside.

He told The Royal Gazette: "As an enthusiast I will tell you these guys shouldn't have been racing down there. I feel very sad that it had to come to this. I can only think that this will speed up the process (to get the purpose built track), but still, somebody has already died."

The Royal Gazette was unable to reach Mr. Horton or previous Sports Minister Dennis Lister last night to ask them about the safety of the track, and to find out if Government was launching its own investigation.

In a released statement yesterday, Mr. Horton said: "I join with the rest of the community in expressing condolences to the family of Mr. Jason Christopher Matthew, who died in hospital following a go-kart accident this weekend at the Clearwater Motor sport track at Southside.

"It is always sad to lose a loved one, but more so, when they are in the prime, productive years of their life.

"There is always the element of danger associated with any sport in which speed is a factor.

"This tragedy will be examined very carefully to determine the cause and all safety procedures will be reviewed to ensure maximum safety for all future participants.

"I have every confidence that the Bermuda Karting Club, which governs the conduct of this sport, will carry out a detailed review of the circumstances of Mr. Matthew's death, and that they will, in due course, report the facts of this accident and any implications arising.

"The Ministry expresses its regret to the family of Mr. Matthew."

Mr. Matthew was racing in the top-flight 125cc shifter class race on Sunday when he lost control of his machine.